THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. Earlier this week, I traveled to Baghdad
to visit the capital of a free and democratic Iraq. It was an
incredible feeling to stand in the cockpit of Air Force One and watch
the pilot steer us in toward Baghdad.

After we landed, I had the pleasure of meeting with our dedicated
embassy staff and intelligence officers serving far from home under
dangerous circumstances. And I was honored to meet with some of our
troops, including those responsible for bringing justice to the
terrorist Zarqawi. It was a privilege to shake their hands, look them
in the eye, and tell them how much the American people appreciate their
daily courage, and how much we appreciate the sacrifices that they and
their families are making.

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On my trip, I also met with the new Iraqi Prime Minister Maliki, and I
was able to see firsthand his strong character and his determination to
succeed. We held a joint meeting of our two Cabinets, with members of
my Cabinet participating by video teleconference from Camp David. The
Prime Minister briefed us on his plan to take immediate steps in three
key areas: improving security, building up Iraq's economy so Iraqis can
see real progress in their lives, and reaching out to the international
community to secure support for Iraq's new government. Then we
discussed how my administration can help the Prime Minister accomplish
these vital objectives.

His top priority is securing Baghdad, so Coalition and Iraqi forces have
launched Operation Together Forward, a joint effort to restore security
and the rule of law to high-risk areas of the city. To help the Prime
Minister improve security, we will continue embedding Coalition
transition teams in Iraqi army and police units, and we will help the
new Iraqi Ministers of Defense and Interior improve their command and
control, root out corruption, and investigate and punish human rights
violations. We will also support the Prime Minister as he works to rein
in illegal militias, build a judicial system that will provide equal
justice to all, and promote reconciliation among the Iraqi people.

To aid the Prime Minister in revitalizing Iraq's economy, we will send
additional experts to help the Iraqi government develop an economic
framework that will promote job creation and opportunity for all Iraqis.
We will also help the Prime Minister increase oil and electricity
production by working together on ways to protect key infrastructure
from attacks, and to quickly restore oil and electricity production when
attacks do occur.

Finally, America will help the Prime Minister engage the international
community in Iraq's success. We will encourage other nations to
fulfill the monetary pledges they have already made to help the new
Iraqi government succeed. We will also support the Prime Minister's
efforts to forge a new international compact. Under this compact, Iraq
will take a series of steps in the political, economic, and security
areas, and in return, the international community will provide Iraq with
more robust political and economic support.

During my trip, I was impressed with the Prime Minister, the team he has
assembled, and the plan he has set for his government. I appreciate his
determination, and the determination of his Cabinet, to make his agenda
work. I told them that the future of Iraq is in their hands. And I
told them that America is a nation that keeps its word, and America will
stand with them as we work toward our shared goal: a free Iraq that can
govern itself, sustain itself, and defend itself. By seizing this
moment of opportunity, we will defeat our common enemies and build a
lasting democracy in the heart of the Middle East, and that will make
Americans, Iraqis, and the world more secure.

I traveled to Baghdad to personally show our Nation's commitment to a
free Iraq, because it is vital for the Iraqi people to know with
certainty that America will not abandon them after we have come this
far. The challenges that remain in Iraq are serious. We face
determined enemies who remain intent on killing the innocent, and
defeating these enemies will require more sacrifice and the continued
patience of our country. But our efforts in Iraq are well worth it, the
mission is necessary for the security of our country, and we will
succeed.